Merry Christmas

Christmas trees around the world

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C.
, is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S.
Schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the ‘Pathway of Peace’ represent the
50 U.S. States.

The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises
up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy ‘s Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the ‘tree’ is a
modern marvel for an ancient city

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague’s Old
Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous
Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern
Czech Republic.

Venice ‘s Murano Island renowned throughout the
world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world.
Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is
a modern reflection of the holiday season.
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the
Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive
with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost’s arrival on his magical
troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year
tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than
230 feet tall) can be found in the Prada do Comercio in Lisbon , Portugal .
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the
city during the holiday season.

Ooh la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the
Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of
lights and high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping department store
draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

In addition to the Vatican ‘s heavenly
evergreen, St. Peter’s Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene
in front of the obelisk

The Christmas tree that greets revellers at the
Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party.

A token of gratitude for Britain ‘s aid during
World War II, the Christmas tree in London ‘s Trafalgar Square has been the
annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday
market at the Romer, Frankfurt ‘s city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of
Christmas past.

Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a
rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).

The twelve days of Christmas….. what do
leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who
won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

read on……

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice
their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism
song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in
the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could
remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the
Old Testament.

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